Illuminated hose nozzle



May 21, 1935. c. E. BOURRET ILLUMINATED HOSE NOZZLE Filed March 29, 1934[mafia-d on- CZ d? I Boa/W 62" @"awwawym,

Patented May 21, 1935 UNITED," STATES PATENT omen- Clyde E. Bourr t,Morrisonville, Wis., assi'gnor of one-half to Roman A. Heilrnan,Madison, Wis.

Application March 29, 1934, Serial No. 717,942

e e 14' Claims. This invention relates to illumination means for hosedischarge nozzles, and more particularly is directed to meansfor'illuminating the interior of a tank or the like into which afluidfuel hose from a dispensing'pump or the like discharges.

In filling the fuel tank of automotive vehicles and the like by means ofa flexible hose connection from the ordinary type of filling stationdispensing unit or fuel pump,*the quantity of fuel in the tank isOrdinarily not ascertainable by the attendantoperating thepump, Becauseof this, it quiteoften happens that overflowing of the tank occurs,resulting in loss of fuel, and damage to the luster and finish of theexternal surface of i the tank. Also, it is inherently dangerous to havehighly combustible fluid or vapors about the premises, and on the bodyof the vehicle, due to the possible ignition or explosion of the same.

a In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, therefore, I'have provided an illumi-- nated hose nozzle which is capable ofreflecting light into the tank, whereby the attendant may readilyascertain the level of the fuel within the tank,'and thus eliminate, toa large extent, any

possibility of having the fuel overflow over the tank surface andsurrounding objects. Inas; much as gasoline vapors are highlyinflammable, I have further provided a vapor-proof illuminatingstructure which is clamped to the nozzle of the gasoline hose, and whichis positively sealed like thereinto. a i V e One object of my inventionis to provide illuminating means of this type which is directly clampedto the hose nozzle, and which is'vapor and explosion-proof.

Another object of thepresent against the entrance of any vapor, moistureor the invention is the provision of illuminating means of this typevwhich is actuated simultaneously with theactuation of the motor foroperating the pump, whereby only the switch now in use in the ordinarytype of electrically operated pump need-be provided. This eliminatesseparate switching means, reducing the hazards incident thereto, andrelieving the attendant of the necessity for operating several controlmechanisms.

A further object of the presentinvention is the provision of a hingedreflector carried by the! illuminating means, which is swingable aboutits pivot in accordance withvarying positions of the nozzle, wherebyupon insertion of the nozzle into the fuel tank opening the reflectorswings into position to direct the light rays into the interior ofthe'tank. A feature of distinct advantage in thepresent construction isthe provision of a (01. 240-2) V 0 e e vapor-proof housing for the lightbulb which, however, is capable of being readily opened for inspectionor replacement of. the bulb, but in closed position prevents entrance ofmoisture, vapors, air orthe like into the interior of the 5 bulbhousing. V

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear morefully from the following detailed description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, will disclose to those skilled inthe art the particular construction andoperation of a preferred form ofmy invention.

' In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of an ordinary type of electricallyoperated fluid fuel dispensing unit, such as a filling station pump,provided with the illumination means of the present invention, a portionof the pump structure being broken away to show the operating mechanismtherefor; a e

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view showing in detail the constructionof the illuminating mechanism;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary elevational View showing the illuminatingmeans in one of its op-' crating positions;

' Figure 4 is a partial elevational view, broken away to show a modifiedmanner of constructing, thevapor-proof housing for the light bulb; and jFigure 5 is a diagrammatic view of the circuit connections for the pumpand illuminating means.

Referring now in detail to e the drawing, in Figure 1 Ihave provided afluid fuel dispensing unit, indicated generally by the referencenumeralB, which is mounted upon a base member 1 suitably supported inposition, and which is provided with thedial member 8 having a rdtatablearm 9 thereon for indicating the quail tity of fuel being delivered. Theuppef'portion of the fuel pump 6, comprising the dome I6, is providedwith a visible flow indicator H of general type, and is provided with anoutlet connection l2 to which the flexible hose I3 is connected. Thishose ispreferably a metallic lined hosejwith a braided overlay, and has,at its free end, a'control or shut-off valve l4 .pro-; vided with atrigger operating mechanism l5 and a flexible discharge nozzle tip l6.The shut-oif valve has a trigger guard I1, whichis supported, when thepump is not in operation, upon a nozzle hook IS, the nozzle hock havinga switch operating; lever pivoted with respect thereto, "and heldinnon-operating po 55 sition by the trigger guard I! when the nozzle isplaced in position upon the hook.

Secured to the discharge portion of the shutoff valve M are a pair ofclamp members 20, which members securely grip the nozzle, and in turnare adapted to retain the casing for the illuminating means inposition.-

The illuminating means is shown in detail in Figure 2, and comprises ahousing member 22 having an inwardly extending flanged end 23 providedwith a centrally located bushing 24 through which the insulatedconductor cable 25 extends. This conductor cable 25 is carried along thehose it by means of clamps 26 semember 27, which is held'in position bymeans of the annular crimp 28 formed in the housing 22, the carriermember 2! being formed of fiber or any suitable insulating material.

Mounted upon the carrier 21 is a light socket 29' having a flangedportion 38 secured to the upper surface of the carrier 21 bymeans of apin or rivet 3i and the conductor. or contact rivet 32, which receivesone conductor 33 of the cable 25, and provides for electrical contactbetween the conductor 33 and the socket 2E).

The other conductor 35, carried by the cable 25, is engaged in thecontact sleeve 36 secured to and extending through the carrier member27, the contact sleeve 36 providing a support for the contact springmember 37 which engages the contact stud carried by the base 38 of thelight bulb 39. The light bulb isengaged within the socket'29 in theusual manner by means of the guide pins 40 engaging within the bayonetslots, 42 formed in the socket 29. The contact spring 31 serves to urgethe bulb 39 outwardly of the socket, to retain it in tight engagementwith the socket.

The upper portion of the housing 22 is threaded, as indicated at 33,.and the upper end thereof is flanged inwardly, .as indicated at 44. vAcover for the housing 22, comprisinga substantially cylindrical member45, has itsv inner threaded portion io engaging over the threadedportion 43 of -the housing Z2.' The housing 45 is preferably providedwith a lip portion ii, which is snapped over a projecting stud button lBof the housing 22 in order to lock the housing 55, in fixed. positionwith respect to the housing 22.

A lens. 59 is provided within thehousing 22.

. and is held in position therein by means of av pair of sealing gaskets59 disposed on either side thereof, the lower gasket 50 abutting againstand being compressed by the flange 44 when the housing 45 is threadedinto closed position upon the housing 22. The upper gasket 59 is held inposition by means of an annular angle mem ber 52 which is press-fittedinto the housing 45 upperend of the housing The reflector member 53 maybe formed of chrome nickel steel or any other material capable of takinga high polish, whereby the inner surface thereof acts as a reflector forthe light rays emitted from the bulb 39. Optionally, a reflectingsurface may be formed on any type of weighted member pivoted in likemanner. Further, it will be noted that the reflector 53 is of varyingcross section, whereby the lower end thereof is weighted to fall intothe position shown in Figure 2 when the illuminating means is disposedin the position shown in Figure l. The lens opening is thus covered tokeep dust and the like from entering therein.

After the carrier 2? has been placed in position and the contacts 32 and36 have been engaged by the corresponding conductors 33 and 35, thelower end of the housing 22 is filled with a suitable insulatingcompound, such as sealing wax or a similar substance, indicated at 58,to seal effectively the lower end of the housing against the entrance ofvapors, moisture or the like. The upper end of the housing is sealedagainst the entrance of such vapors by the engagement between thethreaded portion i3 and the threaded portion (it of the two housings.Further, by the provision of the sealing gaskets 56, no vapors ormoisture can enter the light housing past the lens member 39.

It is thus apparent that I have provided a vapor and explosion prooflight housing, wherein the light contacts and all of the electricallyconducting portions thereof are sealed against the entrance of vapor,moisture or the like. However, by reason of the threaded engagement thehousing can be easily opened for inspection or replacement of the bulb39.

In Figure 3 I have shown the upper end of the light or illuminatingmeans in one of its operating positions, in which it will be noted thatby reason of the weighted reflector 53;, the reflector swings into theposition shown, to reflect light rays from the bulb 3%! into theinterior of a tank opening or the like into which the nozzle it may beinserted. Regardless of the angle of the nozzle with respect to the fuelopening, the freely swinging reflector 53 will always assume a positionsuch that the light-rays will be reflected into the tank or opening.Thus the level of fluid within the tank may be readily ascertained bythe attendant at the time that the tank is being filled. .In Figure 4 amodified construction is shown, in which the lens 59 is held in positionby means of a pair of sealing gaskets 56' which are compressedthereagainst and against the inner periphery of the housing it by meansof a pair of annular angle members 98 and 6!, which members may bepressed into tight engaging position with the gaskets 55, and held inthis position while being spot welded in place. Any other suitable meansfor securing the members 6% and 58 in fixed position within the housingmay be provided. In this construction, the sealing engagement forpreventing passage of vapors past the lens 59 into the interior of-thelight housing is effected independently of the housing22, so that theupper end of the housing need .not be flanged as shown at li in Figure2.

Considering now. in detail the manner of connecting the light circuitfor simultaneous operation with the operating circuit for the dispensingunit, in Figure I have shown the conductors 53 and E34 leading from anysuitable source of electrical current. An electric motor, shown at65-in- Figures 1 and 5, is connected through conductor 8S and switchmember 6?- to the line conductor 64.; The other side of the motor 65ductor 63;

aofoaro'z guard releases the arm 72, which allowsthe arm I to drop, andthus closes the switch .61.:

A second switch, indicated at 14, is. connected to operatesimultaneously with switch' 61,- when the illumination means of thepresent invention is incorporated in the motor circuit, the link member69' (Figure5) corresponding to the link member69ofFigure1.."

Thus, upon removal of the trigger: guardfrom the pivoted lever 12, theswitches 61 and 14 are simultaneouslyclosed, and the actuating motor 65is operated to deliver fuel to the outlet-12 of the dispensing unit.At'the sameitime, thetransformer Z5 is energized through conductor 16',

'1 connected through switch Ht-to conductor 66,1

which in turn is connected to the line conductor 64, the other sideofthe, transformerrcircuit'being connected through conductor 68 to linecon- The secondary 16' of the transformer 15 is fconnected through theconductors 33 and 35 to the light bulb 39 in the manner described inconnection with Figures 1 and 2. Thus, upon removal of the hose nozzlefrom the hook, the actuating motor 85 is placed in operation, and at thesame time the light bulb 39 is energized through the secondary of thetransformer 15, the two circuits being simultaneously closed by switches6i and 74. Thus, during all times that the trigger guard is not engagedover the hook it the light will be actuated, and insertion of the nozzleIii into a fuel tank opening will cause the reflector 53 to swing awayfrom the housing 45, whereby light rays emitted from the bulb 39 will bedirected into the fuel tank opening to enable the attendant to ascertainreadily the level of fluid in the fuel tank. It will thus be apparentthat no additional switching equipment need be provided in order toactuate the illumination means of the present invention.

It is apparent that various changes and modifications may be made incertain details'of construction herein disclosed, and I do not intend tobe limited to the exact details shown and described, except as limitedby the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Illumination means for the nozzle of a discharge hose for a fluidfuel dispensing unit comprising a first housing, alight socket securedtherein, a bulb member mounted in said socket, electrical conductorsconnected to said-socket, sealing means in said housing preventingentrance of moisture and vapors along said conductors, a second housingsecured in sealing engagement over said first housing and having lensmeans sealed therein, and a weighted'closure member pivoted to, saidsecond housing and having a light reflecting surface, said closuremember being freely swingable out of closing position upon tilting ofsaid nozzle to direct light rays along said nozzle.

2. The combination'with a fluid fuel dispensing unit including adelivery hose having a nozzle provided with a shut-off valve, ofillumination means clamped to said nozzle and comprising a moisturelandvapor proof; sealed housing containing alight emitting member, a lensfor said member, and a freelyswingable weighted reflector pivoted tothey end'of said housing and forming. a dust-proofclcsure therefor whennot in use, 'sai'cl reflectorswinging' into positionto reflect:lightmays from said member in the use of saidnozzleiu V 3. In a fluidfuel dispensing unit having an electrically: operated pump, ahook'support, a delivery hose for said unit having a shut-off valve atthe free end thereof and an extending nozzle portion, aguard memberforsaid valve adapted to be engaged on said hook support, circuit closingmeans for actuating said pump operable upon removalof said guardfromsaid support, a transformer connected in shuntinsaid circuit'andenergized by operation of said circuit closing means,a light .membe rmeans connecting said light member .to'the secondary of saidtransformer, a moisture .and vapor proof housing clamped to' said:nozzle portion and enclosing said lightmember, and light reflectingmeans freely V swin'gablelwith respect to said housing for refleetinglightrays fromsaid'light member upon tilting-of said nozzle. i 4;Illumination" means adapted to be secured to a dischargenozzle of agasoline dispensing unit comprising a cylindrical cup-shaped housing, a

carrier member having a light socket thereon secured in said housing andspaced from the base thereof, a light member in said socket, conductorsleading through the base of said housing and connected to said socket,insulating and sealing means disposed within said housingbetween saidously with the operation of said dispensing unit.

5. Illuminating means for use with fluid fuel delivery nozzlescomprising a vapor-proof casing having a light member therein, atransparent closure member in one end of. said casing, and a reflectorfreely hinged to said end of said casing and positionable to reflectlight rays from said member upon tilting movement of said casing.

6. Illuminating means for use with fluid fuel delivery nozzlescomprising an elongated vaporproof casing having a light member disposedtherein, transparent closuremeans in said cassci ing adjacent one endthereofiand a reflector thereof, said. end of said casing being cut offat an angle, and reflector means hinged to the projecting portion ofsaid end of said casing and freely swingable into position upon tiltingof said casing to reflect light rays from said light member downwardly.

8. Illumination means for usewith a fluid delivery nozzle comprising acasing having alight member disposed therein, transparent closure meansfor one end of said casing in alinement with said light member, the endof said casing beyond said closure means being cut at an angle todefinean oval-shaped opening, and a reflector pivoted. to the extendingportion of said end and swingable into a vertical position upon tiltingof said casing to reflect light rays from said member downwardly. i l

9. Illuminating means for use with fluid fu'eldelivery nozzlescomprising avapor-proof casing having a light member therein, atransparent closure member in one end of said casing, and a reflectorhinged to said casing and freely swingable into a position to reflectlight rays from said light memher at an angle with respect to the axisof said casing upon tilting of said casing out of a horirays from saidlight member downwardly into said fuel tank opening upon tilting of saidnozzle.

11. The combination with a fluid fuel dispensingunit including adelivery hose havinga shut off valve at theend of said hose, and adelivery nozzle connected to the outlet side of said valve,

of a moisture and vapor-proof housing clamped to said housing, a lightbulb member sealed within said housing, means for energizing said lightbulb member, and means pivoted to one end of said housing andpositionable upon tilting of said nozzle to direct light rays emanatingfrom said housing along said nozzle.

12.- In combination, a. fluid fuel delivery unit having a nozzle,vapor-proof illuminating means associated with said nozzle, and areflector hinged to said illuminating means and positionable by tiltingmovement of said nozzle to direct light rays emanating from saidilluminating means along said nozzle.

13. The combination with a vapor-proof housing having a light bulbsealed therein and having a transparent closure member in one endthereof, of a reflector pivoted to said housing exteriorly of saidclosure member and automatically positionable by tilting of said housingtovary the direction of the light rays emanating through said closuremember.

14. In combination, a fluid fuel nozzle for delivering fuel into avehicle fuel tank, illuminating means associated with said nozzle, and areflector carried by said illuminating means and automaticallypositionable, by tilting of said nozzle, to direct light rays from saidilluminating means downwardly into the opening in the fuel tank.

CLYDE E. BOURRET.

